So all of life is a choice of Masters. Citizens of Heaven or Citizens of Earth. In Revelation 17, we find the description of those who do not bow to Christ. These people who won’t obey their Creator are called EARTH DWELLERS.
THE WORLD GOD
LIVE FOR THE MOMENT ETERNITY
GET GIVE
GO FOR THE TOP BOTTOM
BE IN CHARGE SERVE
They are characterized by where their hearts are located. Just as Christ said in His sermon on the Mount: Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (KJV)
Why? Because you live in harmony with your treasures: Matthew 6:20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NKJV)
Think with me for a moment about the onslaught of the world upon our spiritual lives each day:
1. THE WORLD SYSTEM [EARTHDWELLERS] CRIES, BE INDEPENDENT, BUT THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE SAYS DEPEND ON ME. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)
2. THE WORLD SAYS GET FINANCIAL SECURITY, THE OWNER OF ALL THINGS SAYS DON’T GET DELUDED INTO THINKING RICHES ARE SECURE. I Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (NKJV)
The earth dwellers of Revelation 17 are in sharp contrast to the CITI¬ZENS OF HEAVEN. These verses may be outlined as:
1. We KNOW Satan is the Adversary. "out of the bottomless pit"
2. We ARE Citizens of Heaven. "dwell on the Earth"
3. We HAVE a Secure Salvation. "names were not…"
Remember we found:
We KNOW Satan is the Adversary. "out of the bottomless pit"
Genesis 3: = STALKER
Job 1 = ACCUSER
John 8:44 = LIAR
I John 5:19 = God of the Earth Dwellers
We ARE Citizens of Heaven. "dwell on the Earth." What does one look like?
Matthew 6:19 = LAYS UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN: In 1 Timothy 6:6-12, Paul tells us the attitude we are to have to¬ward money and possessions. We are to be:
1. CONTENTED v.6-8 "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."
2. GUARDED v.9-10 " But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdi¬tion. For the love of money is a root of all [kinds of] evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greedi¬ness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
3. ANCHORED v.11-12 " But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. "(NKJV)
Well, how is your citizenship today? Is it drawing you downward toward Earth or upward to God? The challenge of our citizenship is loyalty to our King. Put some of your treasured time, money and affections into the Body of Christ here at QBC this week. How?
(FHA-73; 931121AM)
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